Week 3 Donruss Highlight Reel
September 22, 2008

Each week, Donruss.com will highlight the breakout performances of the NFL weekend, recapping who's hot to help you decide whose cardboard to collect.

Donruss.com IS your one-stop shop for collecting tips and rookie statistics. Check out the Playoff Contenders Rookie Leaderboard - the only place to find statistics of this year's NFL Draft class. This year, the Leaderboard is powered by

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LEGENDARY CONTENDERS

RONNIE BROWN, RB - Miami Dolphins (113 Rushing Yards, 5 Total Touchdowns, 4 Rushing & 1 Passing)
Card to Grab - 2005 Playoff Contenders #164

On the ground and through the air, Ronnie Brown did it all for the Fish. Brown rushed for a team record four touchdowns and added one through the air to tight end Anthony Fasano for a fifth, as the Dolphins crushed the Patriots 38-13.

DREW BREES, QB - New Orleans Saints (421 Passing Yards and 1 Touchdown)
Card to Grab - 2001 Playoff Contenders #124

The New Orleans Saints might have started the season 1-2, but not without putting up big numbers on offense. Brees leads the NFL in passing after throwing for over 400 yards and a touchdown in the 34-32 loss to the Broncos, marking the third straight week the Saints have scored 24 or more points.

ROOKIE ROLL CALL

STEVE SLATON, RB - Houston Texans (116 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown)
Cards to Grab - Playoff Prestige #193, Donruss Elite #123, Donruss Classics #235, Score Select #392, Donruss Threads #273, Playoff Absolute #254 and Leaf Certified #218

After an unexpected week off due to Hurricane Ike, the Texans gave Slaton a few more carries in just their second game of the season. The former West Virginia running back carried the ball 18 times for 116 yards, including one for 50 yards. Slaton become the first running back this season to post 100 yards against an impressive Titans defense, but Houston came up short losing to Tennessee 31-12

MATT FORTE, RB - Chicago Bears (66 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown)
Cards to Grab - Playoff Prestige #124, Donruss Elite #116, Donruss Classics #174, Score Select #334, Donruss Threads #266, Playoff Absolute #264 and Leaf Certified #209

Forte burst onto the scene with an impressive 123 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut on opening night. This week, the rookie showed his versatility by snagging seven balls for 66 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 loss to the Buccaneers.

ONES TO WATCH

VETERAN QUARTERBACKS (GUS FREROTTE, KERRY COLLINS, BRIAN GRIESE)
Cards to Grab Gus Frerotte: 1994 Playoff Contenders #120 Kerry Collins: 1995 Playoff Contenders #124 Brian Griese: 1998 Playoff Contenders #24

Pull out those monster boxes and blow off 10 years of dust because these chiseled veterans are being asked to carry the load and replace quarterbacks on playoff-bound teams. Several picked Minnesota to win it all and now Frerotte is being asked to save the Vikings' season. Tennessee is talented and after a Vince Young injury, Collins is trying to fill the shoes left by the former Longhorns QB. On a team known for defense, Griese threw the ball all over the place in his '08 debut with the Bucs.

All three of these guys have the potential to see up arrows...after years of being stuck in the commons bin.

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